Forum to focus on economic development

Forum to focus on economic development

The forum will allow the business community to learn about the best methods of taking advantage of these initiatives, the CBCEDA chief executive officer, Eileen Lannon Oldford, said Thursday."It's for us to come to share with them what we've been doing and to hopefully set an environment where people will sit back and say, 'Oh, I didn't know that was happening. I thought I might have to go somewhere else to make that happen,'" she said."This is our pilot we're kicking off. We're going to look at (the forum) and assess it afterward. But I think it's to clarify to people out there that there are entities that are here that have processes to help us move forward."Lannon Oldford spoke at a Cape Breton Post editorial board meeting Thursday, along with the chamber interim president, Joyce MacDougall, and the Cape Breton Partnership executive director, Keith MacDonald.The guest speaker of the all day forum Jan. 26 at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre will be Ernie Thrasher, president of Provincial Energy Ventures Ltd.Much attention will be spent discussing the $25 billion shipbuilding contract that was granted to the Irving shipyard in Halifax, and how the potential spinoffs could affect Cape Breton.Dave MacLean, the principal of the Nova Scotia Community College Marconi campus, will be speaking at the forum on what it will mean for his school.MacDonald said his group will work to identify local companies that provide materials to Irving."We have to find out if there's ways to increase their capabilities so they can take on more work," he said. ¥¬¥¬¥ß¥é¥Î µêÅn "When we get more detail on the contracts and what types of ships are going to be built, what type of requirements are going to be needed, we can identify the companies that we have here that need to go to the next step in order to be plugged into Irving's shipbuilding supply chain, or work with some of their subcontractors."Most notable, MacDonald said, is the possibility of Sydney taking on projects the Halifax shipyard had planned, but no longer has the capacity to do because of the massive shipbuilding contract.MacDougall said when dealing with customers, Cape Breton companies must have clear communication in what they expect the local workforce can do for them. ¥¬¥¬¥ß¥é¥Î •rÓ‹ "What tools do we have to have that perhaps we don't have now, or we have them but they need to be ramped up. They have to be updated, brought into what (international companies) expect in this day and age. ¥¬¥¬¥ß¥é¥Î •rÓ‹ ¥á¥ó¥º "However, when it comes to creating jobs, all three point to the private sector as its responsibility.Lannon Oldford said their job is to be "facilitators" and "navigators" when new businesses come calling looking for a possible site to open a business.At the forum, CBCEDA plans to explain its newcomers program and how it has worked to attract new families and retirees.Destination Cape Breton will also be asked to share information on itsr plans for the promotion of Cape Breton as a world class destination."I think this kind of relationship and partnership building (at the forum) will do justice to the area of the competencies that are here and what's available," Lannon Oldford said.I'm wondering if the CBCEDA has done much work on keeping the well paying jobs we currently have here on CB? The federal government is closing the ei processing center in Sydney and the call center in Glac Bay resulting in a loss of approximately 100 jobs from our communities good paying jobs that definitely impact the economy of CB. ¥¬¥¬¥ß¥é¥Î µêÅn Along with trying to create more opportunities from spin offs from Halifax, would it not make economic sense to fight for the well paying jobs that are already here?Okay. So what I am hearing is that not much has changed since I left Cape Breton Island (2001). I read the comments above and I can only speak about my decision to leave for better opportunities elsewhere. First of all, invest in your education to pursue a better life whether or not the opportunites exist in Cape Breton or not. Second, be prepared to get where work is available. It is not an easy decision. However, in the long run it will benefit you and your family. Cape Breton is beautiful and is a great tourist desination. As for its economy, people need to realize that government dollars do not create a sustainable economy. All this does is get them elected to a new term. It's time forget about sitting down and discussing the economy of Cape Breton and it's time to pack your bags and go where there are opportunities to live, work and support your family. Consider the immigrants to first came to Canada, they came for the opportunities to carve out a living from the rugged Canadian landscape. It wasn't easy and it isn't easy now, but it is possible.Here's some advice from an ex Caper who left long ago Local firms, learn how to pay your employees at a rate that doesn't throw one into a complete fit of uncontrollable laughter. Want change? Don't slap people in the face with a salary that's 30% lower than the mainland. ¥¬¥¬¥ß¥é¥Î µêÅn To the younger generation, don't settle for anything less. You'll do much better off the island trust me. Until some real leadership in that economic black hole surfaces, the best bet is to seek greener ($$) pastures elsewhere. It's out there, you just have to cross the causeway.I'm wondering if the CBCEDA has done much work on keeping the well paying jobs we currently have here on CB? The federal government is closing the ei processing center in Sydney and the call center in Glac Bay resulting in a loss of approximately 100 jobs from our communities good paying jobs that definitely impact the economy of CB. Along with trying to create more opportunities from spin offs from Halifax, would it not make economic sense to fight for the well paying jobs that are already here?I do applaude the efforts of those who are trying to make a difference. It is about job creation not job protection. Without any private sector involvement the chances of success are limited. At a minimum invite Membertou executives to the table given that you are using their facility. The rest of the world doesn't care that the three community agencies are collaborating and trying to do the right thing, although it may be very important to them. Leadership may be stale and may not have the required skill set to be effective, however they are trying to do the right thing. There are bright new business people with good ideas that are present. As an expat who just recently left again, next federal election look a the polls a day ahead of the elections cast your vote and jump on whatever bandwagon it is. Some may not appreciate the effort and investment that it takes to put a business like Stora Enso ( New Page) into Port Hawkesbury, and how heartbreaking it is to watch it crumble. However Sustainable job creation will come from the small to medium business market. Cape Bretoner's need to think outside of the box while there still is one. Start listening to the younger generation and run with their ideas while they are still around.Why haven't all the politicized "facilitators and navigators" (incl. Devco, Sysco, ECBC, ACOA, CBCEDA, Chamber of Commerce, Partnership, etc.) that governments have funded in CB since 1967 at a compounded cost of close to 80 billion, done the job they claim to be performing? The NS public school teacher's union won't let them! So 10,000 mostly young poorly educated CB'ers (by national standard tests) have left in 20 years and 90% of young CB'ers another 10,000 are being forecast to leave in the next 25 years, when they finish, or drop out of school. These movers and shakers of future generations are leaving behind thousands of politicized "facilitators and navigators" who will continue to be dependent on governments.
rrrrrr